What is Ofsted and how can you register to it?

What is Ofsted?

Ofsted is the regulatory body in England overseeing childcare services and education to ensure compliance with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Registration Process:

• Most pre-school settings must register on the Early Years Register.

• Out-of-school or holiday clubs catering to children aged five to eight must also register on the Childcare Register.

• Some exemptions apply for temporary or informal childcare arrangements.
  
  

Registered Person:

• Can be an individual (e.g., childminder) or an organisation (e.g., committee or company directors).

• Responsible for staffing and EYFS compliance.
  
  

Nominated Person:

• In organisations, a nominated person from the governing body (trustee, partner, director) acts as the main contact with Ofsted.
  
  

Ofsted Inspection Overview:

• Conducted at least every four years, focusing on the child's experience.

• Settings graded as outstanding, good, requires improvement, or inadequate.

• New settings or those with changes undergo the first inspection within 30 months of registration.

  
  

Inspection Process:

• Typically, settings receive a midday phone call a day before the inspection.

• Childminders and irregular group providers are usually contacted up to five days before.

• Inspection duration: approximately three hours for childminders and at least six hours for group provision.

• Evaluation based on overall effectiveness, leadership, teaching quality, children's development, behaviour, and outcomes.

  
  

Post-Inspection:

• A public report is published on the Ofsted website.

• Providers are expected to reflect on findings and share them with parents and carers.

Do I need to register my club with Ofsted?

If your out-of-school club provides childcare (excluding specific activity clubs like football or chess), it likely needs to register with Ofsted. However, if the club is directly run by a school and at least one attending child is from that school, it might fall under the school's registration.

Types Of Registration

Early Years Register:  (0-5 years)

• If you care for children aged from birth to the 31st August following their fifth birthday for over two hours daily, register on the Early Years Register.

• Comply with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

  
  

Compulsory Childcare Register: (5-8 years)

• If caring for children from the 1st September following their fifth birthday (Year 1) up to age eight for over two hours daily, register on the Compulsory Childcare Register.

Exemptions to Registration

• Exceptions include: 

  • Settings operating for 14 days or less per calendar year

  • Children attending for less than two hours daily

  • Clubs focused on specific/singular activities.

  
  

Voluntary Register: (8-18 years)

For providers caring for children aged eight to 18, voluntary registration with the Childcare Register is an option.

IMPORTANT: Children Covering Multiple Age Brackets: If working with children of all ages, you may need to apply on multiple registers. Seek guidance from Ofsted on 0300 123 1231.

Registration Process

1. Timeframe: Registration can take up to six months for the Early Years Register, but Ofsted aims to complete it within 12 weeks.

2. Contact Ofsted: Address: Ofsted, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester M1 2WD. Phone: 0300 123 1231

3. Apply online: Ofsted now only accepts applications for registration on the Early Years or Childcare Registers via its pages on the GOV.UK website. In order to apply via the GOV.UK website, you need to have a Government Gateway account so if you don't already have one you should register for this first.

Apply to join the Early Years Register (EY0) (GOV.UK)
Apply to join the Childcare Register (CR1) (GOV.UK)

Before you submit your online application to Ofsted you need to already have:

1. An Enhanced DBS Disclosure certificate with barred list check

2. Either a minimum level 2 qualification in an area of work relevant to the childcare provided or training in the Ofsted common core skills

3. An appropriate first aid qualification

How to apply for an Ofsted DBS check (GOV.UK)

Pre-registration Visit and Post-registration Inspections

• For the Early Years Register, inspections occur within 30 months of opening and then at least once every six years.

• Clubs on the Childcare Register undergo random inspections, with no pre-registration visits.

  
  

Registration in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Ofsted registration applies to settings in England only. If your club is based in Scotland, Wales or NI you will need to register with the appropriate regulatory authority:

Wales

• Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW)

• Telephone 0300 7900 126 or contact the nearest CSSIW regional office for more information.

• Registering with CSSIW

For help and information on standards and the regulatory framework for out of school clubs and play settings in Wales see: Play Wales

Scotland

• The Care Inspectorate (SCSWIS)

• Telephone 0345 600 9527 or contact your nearest regional office for more information.

• Registering with the Care Inspectorate

For help and information on standards and the regulatory framework for out of school clubs and play settings in Scotland see: The Scottish Out of School Care Network

Northern Ireland

• The Health and Social Care Trusts

• Contact your local HSC Trust for more information.

• Contact details for HSC Trusts

For help and information on standards and the regulatory framework for out of school clubs and play settings in Northern Ireland see: Playboard NI